Nutrient Deficiencies and Oral Health

onDecember 1, 2018

Your dental health is essential for overall health, but if you want strong teeth and gums, you must choose nutritious foods. Did you realise that the symptoms of systemic problems including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease are often visible in your mouth and may be diagnosed by your dentist before your doctor?

When you eat a healthy balanced diet, it helps to protect your dental and general health and especially reduces your risk of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a common gum infection that causes inflammation which can affect your entire body, worsening any existing health problems or increasing your risk of developing others.

You don’t need to choose a special diet or even eat expensive foods. Instead, make sure your diet contains plenty of lean protein and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid foods that are heavily processed and especially those that are high in sugars, and get into the habit of reading food labels. Some people may benefit from taking supplements such as fish oil which can be useful if you don’t like the taste of fish. Probiotics can also be helpful in helping to maintain a healthy oral microbiome. Green tea contains plenty of polyphenols which are known to reduce bacteria, and tea is also rich in fluoride.